Waiting Lists!
I am aware of the difficulties getting a Rolex because of buyer history and waiting lists but;
Do the other major luxury brands like Patek, Vacheron, AP etc. have the same kind of system in place or is it more of a “if you have enough money you can buy one” sort of situation?
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Yes, and in some cases worse. It is not even, "If you have enough money you can buy one." IE, you can walk into a Rolex AD and demand to buy a Le Mans, and $100K of other goods right now, they will still politely tell you to fly a kite. In most cases, it is about how much you spend over how long a period. Yes, VC, Patek, even Omega now (for the Ed White or Snoopy).
Similar stories at Hermes, Ferrari, etc. Does not matter how much money you walk in with you are not getting it.
Not to state the obvious, but the grey market allows you to get any watch if you have enough money 😜
People dump on Rolex but Patek and ALS are much worse. To be allowed to buy certain Patek models, your name and profile must be submitted to their headquarters in Switzerland for approval. You must be deemed worthy of the purchase by corporate management.
ALS has tiers. Some you can walk in and purchase. Other models require that you have already purchased more than one ALS. The top models require that you apply to corporate headquarters for permission to purchase.
At least with Rolex, it’s each local dealer deciding how to allocate too few watches to too many buyers. At the other brands, it’s their corporate HQ literally gatekeeping and judging a buyer’s worthiness to be a customer but somehow they get a pass and Rolex eats shit.
People dump on Rolex but Patek and ALS are much worse. To be allowed to buy certain Patek models, your name and profile must be submitted to their headquarters in Switzerland for approval. You must be deemed worthy of the purchase by corporate management.
ALS has tiers. Some you can walk in and purchase. Other models require that you have already purchased more than one ALS. The top models require that you apply to corporate headquarters for permission to purchase.
At least with Rolex, it’s each local dealer deciding how to allocate too few watches to too many buyers. At the other brands, it’s their corporate HQ literally gatekeeping and judging a buyer’s worthiness to be a customer but somehow they get a pass and Rolex eats shit.
Thank you for explaining this! 🌈
I do have some funny experiences at a Rolex ad when the charming sa wearing a distracting low cut black evening dress during the early daytime explained that I would not live long enough to receive a call regarding a Rolex Daytona regardless of dials but she would be happy to present all the nice Tudors for my consideration.
My wife’s sis in law recently showed up wearing a 36mm rose gold lady Patek Philippe dress watch with a diamond bezel. The last nice watch that she purchased was a steel Cartier Pasha the first time around so her spend history is casual. She was a first time shopper for a Patek but upon completion of the purchase the owner/ seller of the PP ad here in Toronto looked at her hubby fondly asking if he has any items on his wish list? Even in demand steel sports models appeared to be available. I informed my cautious bro in law that certain steel Pateks perform well for flippers. After being educated about the grey market he said flipping properties offered significantly greater profits felt some sympathy for the so called flippers.
I do have some funny experiences at a Rolex ad when the charming sa wearing a distracting low cut black evening dress during the early daytime explained that I would not live long enough to receive a call regarding a Rolex Daytona regardless of dials but she would be happy to present all the nice Tudors for my consideration.
My wife’s sis in law recently showed up wearing a 36mm rose gold lady Patek Philippe dress watch with a diamond bezel. The last nice watch that she purchased was a steel Cartier Pasha the first time around so her spend history is casual. She was a first time shopper for a Patek but upon completion of the purchase the owner/ seller of the PP ad here in Toronto looked at her hubby fondly asking if he has any items on his wish list? Even in demand steel sports models appeared to be available. I informed my cautious bro in law that certain steel Pateks perform well for flippers. After being educated about the grey market he said flipping properties offered significantly greater profits felt some sympathy for the so called flippers.
It’s not funny but the way you explain it is so funny:
“explained that I would not live long enough to receive a call regarding a Rolex Daytona” Ouch!
Thank you for an awesome reply! 🌈
It’s not funny but the way you explain it is so funny:
“explained that I would not live long enough to receive a call regarding a Rolex Daytona” Ouch!
Thank you for an awesome reply! 🌈
Life is too short and ugly to be bothered by small events! Have a great day!
Life is too short and ugly to be bothered by small events! Have a great day!
Thank you so much! You as well sir!